Title page for ETD etd-11152013-040327

Life history of the endangered shiny pigtoe pearly mussel, Fusconaia edgariana, in the North Fork Holston River, Virginia

Degree

Master of Science

Department

Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences

Advisory Committee

Advisor Name

Title

Richard J. Neves

Committee Chair

E. F. Benfield

Committee Member

Louis A. Helfrich

Committee Member

Keywords

Mussels

Date of Defense

1985-02-05

Availability

restricted

Abstract

The life history of Fusconaia edgariana, the endangered shiny pigtoe pearly mussel, was determined in a two year study at North Holston Ford, North Fork Holston River (NFHRM 86.9) above Saltville, Virginia. Sixty 0.5m2 quadrats indicated a mean density of 10.6 mussels/m2, representing 10

species. Six additional species were collected by

handpicking or in muskrat middens. The density of F. edgariana, was 1 adult/2 M2. Distribution of the shiny pigtoe was restricted to shallow areas of mixed sand, gravel, and pebble substrate in low to moderate water